Emergency draft-windlass.



I. H. LANGE EMERGENCY DRAFT WINDLA SS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. 19l6 1,229,762. Patented June 12, 1917.

\NVENTOR I BY I ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. LARGE, OF MUSCA'IINE, IOWA, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF '10 WILLIAM H.

SGHWAB, OF MUSCATINE, IOWA.

EMERGENCY DRAFTWINDLASS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 191 '7.

Application filed July 28, 1918. Serial No. 111,855.

The invention has more especial reference to an improved device of the character stated which is portable in nature and has for its primary object, the provision of pulling means which may be readily attached to a driving wheel of a motor vehicle, whereby, the same may be used to assist in pulling the'vehicle out of ruts, mud, etc. Specifically speaking the invention may be stated to provide an emergency draft Windlass.

More particularly, the present invention has reference to-a novel construction and arrangement of various constituent parts of the device, means being provided whereby the device may be so adjusted as to be adapted for use upon wheels of large and small wheel base and further, means being provided which means are carried by the adjusting means, whereby the device may be securely afiixed to the particular wheel to which it is applied.

Another important characteristic of the present invention, resides in the simplified construction, which will consequently, reduce the cost of manufacture of construction of this character, and further, the provision of novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts with a view to higher efficiency generally.

All of the foregoing, together with additional advantageous details and arrangement of parts of the preferred embodiment of my invention will be clear from the specific description hereinafter contained, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein said embodiment of the invention is illustrated for' the purpose of facilitating a full understanding of the present improvements.

In vthe drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved dei ice applied to a wheel;

'g.- 2 is a side elevation of the device detached;

gig. 3 is a transverse section therethrough; an

Iig. 4 is a section taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 2. i

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like .01 corresponding parts throughout the several views, it is to be understood, at the outset that the device may be applied to any size or form of motor vehicle driving Wheel and for the purpose of convenience, I have indicated a wheel which is designated by the numeral 1.

A sleeve or drum 2 having a flange 3 formed upon its outer marginal edge and a base portion whereby the same may be attached to the Wheel, which shall be hereinafter described is provided. A base portion or laterally ofi'set portion 4: is arranged upon the opposite extremity of the sleeve 2 and has arranged thereupon, a plurality of fingers generally desi ated at 5. Undercut ways 6 are forme in' each of these fingers 5 and are disposed substantially longitudinally thereof. Sliding elements or arms 7 provided with beveled sides 8 and 8 are receivable by the undercut ways 6, the beveled side portions thereof engaging the undercut walls of the way so as to prevent outward lateral movement of the arms 7. In order that the arms 7 may be securely held in an adjusted position within their respective ways, set screws generally numbered 9 are received incomplementally threaded openings arranged adjacent the outer extremities of the fingers 5and communicating with the ways 6. Thus, when the set screws are turned inwardly, it will be obvious, thatthe same are engaged with the under face of the sliding arms 7, thereby,

cal portions thereof being interiorly threadedso as to receive set screws 10, which set screws serve as means to lock the spoke engaging hook 11 in an adjusted position within the transverse portion of the opening.

A plurality of laterally extending fingers 12' are secured to the inner side of the base portion 4 and engage with the adjacent spokes of the wheel 1 whereby, relative ro- 1 arranged upon its remaining end a hook or other suitable engaging member not shown. In 0 eration, the varlous sliding arms 7 are ad usted to the desired positlon, whereupon the hooks 11 are engaged with the various adjacent spokes of the wheel and when engaged, are securely locked in position by means of the set screws 10. It will be also obvious, that as the device is applied over the hub of the wheel, the laterally extending fingers 12 will abut those spokes as engaged by the hook 11 and thereby, prevent relative movement of the Windlass and the wheel. Due to the fact that the sleeve 2 is arranged about the hub of the wheel, it will be readily understood, that the same is efliciently supported in position and that the hub will further serve as means to compensate for the strain to which the spool is subjected, when in use. lVith the Windlass in the proper position upon thewheel, the cable a is .uncoiled, and the engaging member as secured to the rear extremity thereof is engaged with a stationary object at a distance from the vehicle. The motor of the vehicle is then started and power is transmitted to the driving wheel, which, when rotated b means of its engagement with the cable, wi 1 be caused to bemoved forwardlv and thereby permit the coiling of the cable about the sleeve 2. When the vehicle has been assisted out of therut, the windlass may be then quickly detached, the engagin member removed from the stationary o ject and the device as a whole may be then placed in some suitable support therefor as carried by the vehicle. 7

It is obvious that changes may be made without departing from the s irit of the invention so lon as they fall within the scope of the appen ed claims.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1 An attachment for driving wheels of motor vehicles, comprising a drum, an enlarged head portion having a plurality of radially disposed ways formed in one face thereofarranged adjacent said drum, a plurality of laterally extending fingers arranged on the head portion, arms slidably arranged in said radially disposed ways, means for securin positions in the ra 1ally disposed ways, and

said arms in adjusted;

spoke engaging hooks carried on the outer ends of said arms.

2. An attachment for drivin wheels of motor vehicles comprising a ca le winding drum having a plurality of radially extending fingers arranged adjacent one end thereof, slidable arms carried by the fingers, and laterally adjustable hooks arranged adjacent the outer extremities of said slidable arms for securing said drum to the wheel.

3. An attachment for driving wheels of motor vehicles, comprising a cable winding drum, a plurality of radially extending fingers arranged adjacent one extremity of said drum, slidable arms carried by said fingers, means for securing said arms in an adjusted position, laterally adjustable hooks carried by the outer extremities of said arms, and means for securing said hooks in an adjusted position.

4. An attachment for drivin wheels of motor vehicles, comprising a ca le winding drum, a plurality of radially extending fingers arranged adjacent one extremity of said drum and having-longitudinally disposed undercut grooves formed in one face thereof, slidable arms receivable by said undercut grooves, set screws for securing said arms'in an adjusted position, laterally adjustable hooks carried by the outer extremities of said arms for engagement with the spokes of the wheel, and set screws engageable with portions of said hooks whereby the same maybe secured in an adjusted position.-

5. An attachment for driving wheels of motor vehicles, comprising'a cable winding drum, a plurality of radially extending fingers arranged adjacent one extremity of ing said hooks in an adjusted position, and a plurality of distended spoke abutting fingers arranged adjacent said laterally distended fingers for preventing relative movement of the drum.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature .in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. LANGE. Witnesses:

J. W. Konou'r, ANDREW Nms'mn. 

